Appreciate the thoughtful approach to compare and contrast your product lines. I love my Explore 60 for traveling and just pre-ordered the Explore v2 E35 for quick daily outings. Swapping between my medium and large core units for both packs is a perfectly efficient system!
So after multiple videos I am all in with the Explorer 30L V2. Already own a the original Explorer 30L but just couldn't resist some of the upgraded features. I will end up optimizing each for different uses and if need be can always swap the core units. Thanks for creating an improved version of a product I already love. Take care.
I’m a travel & landscape photographer, so I love the features of the new Explore V2 series. I’m not a day hiker though, I travel for many days/weeks with a single backpack to carry both photo gear and clothes etc., so the new Explore V2 bags are just too small. But I don’t have any requirements for the rugged action sports features of the ActionX. I wonder, will you be selling a V2 of the larger Explore 40 and 60 in future (any reasons why or why not)? Thanks.
Hi Paul, I seemed to have missed this question. The v1 Explore series is discontinued. the new E35 replaces the 40 and the X50 makes the 60 redundant. Action X (while having 'rugged' features), is designed so the those features do not dominate the appearance or get in the way. It will very much make a great travel bag is used by many travel bound photogs. With Explore v2 - making this series for strict Carry On was a big goal and the E35 is at the max, and since we have the X50 and 70... making a bigger version didn't make sense. Also for the design ratio or dimensions of bigger bags, the pack starts to become visually unappealing (IMO). Hope that makes sense. Ian
@@ShimodaDesigns Thanks, Ian. As the pandemic has prevented travel, I'm still yet to buy a bag. This information really helps. I wasn't aware that carry-on was a deciding factor for the Explore V2, and I agree about the design ratio making bigger bags look strange too - thanks for explaining.
Great job explaining the differences. I appreciate how much background information you provide about your products. I love my Action X50. Explore V2 might have been a better fit but oh well. Glad you explained the keychain location. It's always frustrated me and I never use it because it's so hard to reach. At least I understand the rationale. One request for the next generation: Include some interior pockets that are gusseted. The TPU pockets are essentially useless as they're too small to fit anything that isn't flat. OK, one more; A slightly larger camera pouch (like the Explore V2 appears to have) so it fits my iPhone 12 Pro Max. My favorite feature is hands-down the mesh side pockets. I love being able to fit any size water bottle and any of my tripods. These Shimoda bags are so versatile and well-designed!
Backed a Explore V2 30 to compliment my Action X50 and modified top-loader turned light pack. I love the X50 and the amount of gear I can safely carry, but I am looking forward to having something a little smaller, without the roll-top for local shooting where I don't need the big bag. Now if we can get a bag and possibly travel case for all of us Super-Telephoto Prime users, that would be outstanding!
Thanks for the comparison. I am still debating if I should get the action X30 or the V2 35. The V2 is perfect when traveling with my wife on holiday but I need it for day hikes in the mountains such as a planned trip to Patagonia next year.
@@ShimodaDesigns yes! looks like i'll have to get in on the kickstarter. i thoroughly loved my x30 but this might be better for everyday/travel/lighter uses
do the bags have a compartment at the very bottom? i love that compartment as an area dedicated solely to a rain cover, which also acts as extra padding on the bottom of the pack
The is no compartment but the bottom is already padded. There is nothing to stop you from putting the RC under the Core Unit and achieving the same effect.
@@ShimodaDesigns hmm, that's true. but there could be times where you're in a rush and need to pack the damp rc back in, and it's better with it's own waterproof compartment. just a thought. your bag still looks the best in function and design to me so i'm still going to buy one regardless!
Great job with the new bag, Ian. I love that you added the lockable zippers and a large mirrorless core unit. Is the new, more breathable harness system compatible with the Action X series and will it be available separately? Good luck with the KS.
looking very nice Ian, well done again. I love my X70 for my trekking & wild camping photography but the Explore is something that would suit for everyday...very interested thank you again for a superb product.
Hey Geo! just saw your comment and it got my attention. The Explore looks like a perfect day hike or city bag. But I've been interested in multi day hiking and camping with landscape photography. The X70 seems like the best bag in the market for this right now, but I can't find anyone showing all the gear in there in order to have a good idea. Is there anyway you could share your experience camping with this bag?
This was a great video. I am looking for a new camera backpack and I'm torn between action and explore series. After this video, i still don't know which one of those two to buy, but im 150% sure that i will not be disappointed.😂 Thank you for superb products that you have created, i can't wait to get mine 😅
Do you have your explorer V2 available in Romania? I'm interested in checking it out to use it eventually for my diverse photography situations. Thank you!
The 35LV2 will be my 3rd Shimoda bag I will own. Every time I will go out I will have to make a decision on which to us. They are delightful to us. Love the idea of the 3 handles as it will make it so much easier to put in a overhead bin, move it around or just put it on. Not getting any younger!!
Do the main upper compartments in both the Action X and the Explore v2 extend flexibly down into the backpacks belly so that it fills the whole free space? So that if I use the smallest core unit, all additional room can used for hiking gear and be accessed from the top? (Hope this question was clearly phrased. I'm asking this because I'm imagining not bringing much camera gear, just the camera and a couple of lenses, and I would need the rest of the available space for hiking equipment, at the same time as I don't want to have to open the back and expose my camera gear to the elements in order to access that hiking gear)
Great comparison, but no base handle on the Explore v2? That's a real bugbear of mine having to zip up everything before being able to move the bag a few feet.
so the is action the more suitable for a multi day(3+) hike and camping? I see several landscape photographers using these bags but I don't find any who does long hikes AND landscape photography together to have an idea on how the bag takes and organize all the gear.
HI I am not sure there is but they are substantially different. 15L plus 7L expansion and the shape and space of the X50 is much more useable as it is more of a cylinder than the rounded off top of Explore.
Is it possible to bring the shoulder straps from the V2 series to the Action X? I now have the carrying comfort because I have products from both series. The V2 is much (!!!) more comfortable. Is it possible to order them? Or I should sell my action x 30 and 50 and buy the new explorers ... 🤔
Great work, Ian! I really liked my original Explore 40. But it needed some additional and modified features. My Action X delivered on those features in a major way! I love my Action X 30. But I am not really an adventure sports person. And now this new Explore V2 looks like the perfect set of refinements for what I do (landscape photography involving day hikes at the most and an occasional ride on my gravel bike). Ordered the 30 and small mirrorless insert kit last night. That small mirrorless insert will be a nice option given that I already have the medium mirrorless. I am curious about a couple of the accessories that were visible in some of the RU-vid reviews. Especially the new filter packet thing. Looking forward to learning when that is available for purchase. Again, great work on the improvements! Also great work refining and simplifying the Kickstarter process.
@@ShimodaDesigns awesome thank you!! I will look back and try and grab one. My bag is like 8 years old and I failed to see the signs of aging….it is literally busting at the seams haha
Thanks for the great comparison. Can you tell me if the internal systems used would be the same size? I mean, are they both designed to use the mirrorless internal? I currently have both the Action X 30 and the original Explore. I would like to be able to use the core system pieces I already have.
Hi, I can't answer what you are after because I do not know what Core Units you have or pack you would like, but you can find that info on the KS campaign link - just scroll down to the specification of the Core Units and look for 'compatibility': www.kickstarter.com/projects/shimodadesigns/shimoda-explore-v2
Hi we sell accessory straps that attached to bottom of Action X but also Explore v2 comes with those straps. They are removable. Search Accessory Straps on our website. There are about 12 different mounting points depending on what pack.
I have the original explorer x60 and honestly, this make want the Action x70 (for camping trips and wildlife gear) and Explorer 35 (for weekend trips). Y’all wouldn’t happen to have any promos for the x70 would you? Lol
Hi, it does fit as Action X30 and 50 laptop sleeves were updated to match Explore's. Please view this video made by a customer which shows how it will fit. Also note he mentions the upper access on Explore, which Action X does not have - you will only have rear access. Finally you can use the front pocket to hold a laptop - best with your own padded sleeve. facebook.com/502336579/videos/pcb.2152749108199080/253747436820388
In this video you say that the action x will only take a 15” laptop but I’ve seen where it says that the action x50 v2 will take the 16” and that’s the one I’m looking at getting
Is there a way I can use the straps to create a luggage strap that could allows the backpack to fit on luggage, that is, slide over the luggage upright handle tube? Thanks!
I've seen the E35 with the small core unit(the original) in the top pocket so they can access the camera from the top of the bag, can the E25 or E30 fit the small core unit in the same place?
This only works in the E35. With that said, for casual use you can do it without the Core Unit. The E series has light padding in the upper. I've done for non casual use but we all have different comfort levels with gear risk.
I was torn between the Action X50 and Explore V2 35, but ordered the latter yesterday. Now I just have to wait for it to arrive! One of my biggest points of indecision was the fact I have a Nikkor 14-24 f/2.8G lens which requires a 150mm filter system and the correspondingly oversized filter holder. Not one single photography backpack manufacturer addresses where something so large could fit. While I'm in the minority, I'm not a unicorn! 🙂 I finally decided to add the top loader to the included Medium DSLR ICU, rather than the Small DSLR ICU, to make more room in the top compartment, which I THINK will work. Gear loads are individualized, but no one seems to give it more than a cursory mention. Just sayin'. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Send me you a pic of your filter set up. I use a 150mm set up and fit it in rear access's padded sleeve. But you mount may not be like mine. ian@shimodadesigns.com
I already got the Core DSLR Large Unit but cant decide between 35 V2 or Action X5. Iam more traveller and diver, but that extra rolltop space on the action makes the decision so damn hard :D I wish we had a store to try it on nearby.
If you are after more freedom with your space and how you use it... the roll top adds a big reason to go X50. As we say, Action X is the utility / pick-up truck. Explore is the SUV.
@@ShimodaDesigns Just received my Explore V2 35 Cant wait to use it in open field. Iam also starting to recommend it to everyone... this bag is just almost perfect! Thank your for making this fantastic Product while beeing such a nice guy!
You have no zippable pouch on the belt for easy access of keys etc (that's a huge fail IMO). The back zip constantly catches on the loop on the inside (for whatever that might be used for). And the top pouch zip continually catches on the fabric!
Great video explaining. However, the CC caption is $hit. I’m native Chinese Taiwanese, I can read the subtitles and it’s saying “Hello comrades. Who is your friend?” When you’re explaining technical stuff like the shoulder straps….. I don’t know who did this, but the Mainland Simplified Chinese caption is waaaaay off!!
@@Farnhamification if you roll it forward and close it at the back tightly, you should not catch it on a branch. Sure it’s possible but low odds. I live in a vey bush dense area, often bush wacking and have not an issue.
@@ShimodaDesigns thanks for this advice. It might be worth designing an accessory top lid to attach which would add extra storage/top cinching and prevent the roll top from getting caught when ducking under branches or pushing through scrub.
